In this AMA-UTA CreateCollab, Victoria Alvarez explores modern fencing (with light sabers!) in her original photo essay, Starbird Saber Academy’s Fencing Legacy
Read more about our CreateCollab partnership below.
STARBIRD SABER ACADEMY’S FENCING LEGACY
ABOUT MY PHOTO ESSAY
Starbird Saber Academy’s Fencing Legacy by Victoria Alvarez
Starbird Saber Academy gives a new meaning to traditional swords and sword fighting. They were once an integral part of a medieval knight’s identity that signified power, strength, and strategy on the battlefield – a commonality shared with the art of fencing.
There are indications that fencing is derived from sword fighting. The transition from sword fighting to fencing lies in their objectives. Fencing emphasizes the use of a saber for defense. It is articulate, calculated, analyzed, and done with purpose. In the medieval period, on the other hand, swords were deadly. They were aimed at battle, combat, and aggression. These are two vastly different intentions for what can be considered the same weapon. Because there is no use for swords as weapons today, the “art” of combat is much more appreciated.
Starbird Saber Academy shares its enthusiasm for fencing, which can be a somewhat costly and unfeasible sport for many, with North Texas communities. This is all thanks to a new growing sport called “Lightspeed Saber” fencing, which honors the original fencing technique and meshes it with a more affordable, accessible, and safer environment than traditional fencing.
People of all ages and backgrounds have met to battle it out on the mat to appreciate the special craft that is saber fighting. Starbird Saber Academy is proud to celebrate it in this way.
The Arlington Museum of Art’s A Knight’s Tale exhibit is the perfect place to tell their story. Honoring the legacy that originated with sword fighting is a fitting way for all to experience the thrill that fencing can be.
Meet Victoria Alvarez
Victoria is a University of Texas at Arlington journalism senior who, with her final semester ahead, is longing to sleep more than five hours a night! With a double minor in biology and psychology, Victoria has an avid interest in science writing and public health journalism. Coming from a Hispanic background, she would ultimately love to help her community become more comfortable with all things related to health, or science in general!
Although Victoria is enamored with screaming along to her favorite songs at concerts, she’s happiest sitting at home with her favorite blanket and a good (or bad!) movie.
About AMA-UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by “A Knight’s Tale.”
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as sword fighting with light sabers, fulfilling family legacies, every day heroes, and modern metalsmithing.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
